Hydroscooter



R. F. ROWELL Oct. 25, 1966 HYDROSCOOTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 25, 1964 INVENTOR ROBE RT F. ROWELL.

BY ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1966 R. F. ROWELL 3,230,786

HYDROSCOOTER Filed Aug. 25, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TIEF 5- INVENTOR ROBERT F. ROWELL.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,280,786 HYDROSCOOTER Robert F. Rowell, 249 Milton Ave., Apt. 1, San Bruno, Calif. Filed Aug. 25, 1964, Ser. No. 391,906 6 Claims. (Cl. 115-70) The present invention relates to improvements in a hydroscooter. It consists of the combinations, constructions, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of this invention is to provide a hydroscooter that may be readily used in various aquatic sports, employed for recreation and transportation, and which may be operated with facility and ease, even by individuals that are not experienced, all with a high degree of safety.

More specifically described, it is proposed to provide a hydroscooter having front and rear floatation tanks arranged one ahead of the other, and being positioned to float on a body of water when the hydroscooter is not under power, providing ample stability. Front and rear pontoons are secured to and located under the front and rear floatation tanks, respectively. These pontoons are positioned to plane on a body of water when the hydroscooter is under suificient power and the floatation tanks will clear the water at this time so as to permit the pontoons to feather through the water with the minimum amount of resistance. Moreover, the pontoons are so shaped as to facilitate their upward movement in the water to a position where they will plane, as the hydroscooter is advanced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hydroscooter that is propelled =by a water jet propulsion system with the maximum amount of safety being afforded to other persons against injury, such as swimmers that may be in the area at the time.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hydroscooter that is simple in construction, durable and eflicient for the purpose intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds. The novel features of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Drawings For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the hydroscooter;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the hydroscooter;

FIGURES 4 and 5 are front and rear elevational views, respectively, of the hydroscooter.

While I have shown only the preferred embodiment of my invention, it should be understood that various changes, or modifications, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Detailed description Referring now to the drawings in detail, front and rear floatation tanks A and B, respectively, are arranged one ahead of the other, and being positioned to float on a body of water C when the hydroscooter is not under power. Front and rear pontoons D and B, respectively, are secured to and disposed under the front and rear floatation tanks, respectively, and are positioned to plane on the body of water when the hydroscooter is under sufficient power and, at this time, the floatation tanks will be elevated above the body of water. In other word-s, when the hydroscooter is not under power, it will sink into the water and rest on its front and rear floatation tanks. The latter extend laterally beyond the sides of 3,280,786 Patented Oct. 25, 1966 the pontoons, as clearly illustrated in the drawings. However, when the hydroscooter is traveling at its normal speed, it will rise in the water and ride on its front and rear pontoons.

The weight distribution is such that the hydroscooter will by its own accord tend to seek the upright position while floating without power in order to protect against water damage in areas which may not be water sealed. Of course, the floatation tanks and pontoons will by necessity be water-tight.

It will be noted that a main body structure 10 is fixed to the rear floatation tank B to extend forwardly therefrom and overlie the front floatation tank A. As shown, a steering column designated at 11 is fixed to the front floatation tank A, and is journalled in the main body structure 10 so that the front pontoon D may be turned in either direction along with the front floatation tank so as to steer the hydroscooter.

For the purpose of propelling the hydroscooter, a water jet propulsion system F has been provided, and it may be mounted in the rear floatation tank B and the rear pontoon E. It includes one or more inlet ports 12 communicating with the body of water C and through which water may be drawn inwardly into a passageway 13 when the propulsion system is operating. This water jet propulsion system further includes an exhaust port 14 through which the indrawn water may be discharged rearwardly to propel the hydroscooter forwardly. This system can be compared with a pump which pumps water out of the rear of the hydroscooter in such a manner that it creates a propulsion force for the hydroscooter.

In its structural features, the water jet propulsion system F is provided with an engine 15 which is operatively connected to a propeller shaft 16 by a suitable transmission 17, the latter being under control of a shift lever 18. A propeller 19 is carried by the shaft 16 so as to force water rearwardly through the passageway 13 to thus propel the hydroscooter.

The occupant of the hydroscooter may take a position on a seat 20, with the feet of the occupant resting in recesses 21 formed in the rear floatation tank vB, the legs of the occupant straddling the main body structure 10. The upper end of the shift lever 18 is disposed within easy reach of the occupant.

It will be observed that the starboard and port sides of both the front and rear pontoons D and E, respectively, converge downwardly relative to one another to thus facilitate elevating or raising of the hydroscooter into a position to plane on the pontoons D and E, with the front and rear floatation tanks A and B, respectively, clearing the water C, when the hydroscooter is under sufficient power, i.e., has attained sutficient speed. The transverse width of the pontoons are considerably less than that of the floatation tanks, and thus there will be considerably less resistance to forward movement of the hydroscooter when the latter has raised to aposition to plane on the pontoons.

The water jet exhaust port 14 is located on the longitudinal median plane 22 of the hydroscooter and adjacent to the bottom 23. This arrangement will afford more steady propelling power than if the exhaust port 14 were arranged higher, as the hydroscooter tends to rock toward starboard or port. It will be seen from the plan view shown in FIGURE 1 that the starboard and port sides of the rear pontoon B converge rearwardly relative to one another and encompass the water jet exhaust port 14.

Handle bars 24 are provided at the top of the steering column 11 for steering purposes, and may have hand grip controls thereon for regulating the engine throttle.

The use of the water jet propulsion system F guarantees maximum safety against injury to anyone in contact with the hydroscooter, for instance, swimmers that may be in the vicinity.

Because of the hydroscooter utility, safety, and recreation appeal, it is anticipated that it will create an interest in many people, both young and old alike. It will fill a wide demand in recreation areas, including trans portation both private and commercial.

I claim:

1. In a hydroscooter:

(a) front and rear floatation tanks arranged one ahead of the other, and being positioned to float on a body of water when the hydroscooter is not under power;

(b) front and rear pontoons secured to and being disposed under the front and rear floatation tank-s, re-

spectively, and being positioned to plane on the body of water when the hydroscooter is under sufflcient power and the floatation tanks are elevated above the body of water;

(c) a main body structure fixed to the rear floatation tank to extend forwardly therefrom and being confined above the body of water, whereby this body structure will not cause resistance to movement of the pontoons through the water;

(d) a steering column fixed to the front floatation tank, and being journalled in the main body structure so that the front pontoon may be turned in ei- --ther direction to steer the hydroscooter;

(e) a water jet propulsion system mounted in'the rear floatation tank and pontoon, and including an inlet port communicating with the body of water and through which water may be drawn inwardly when the propulsion system is operating;

(f) and the water jet propulsion system further including an exhaust port through which the indrawn Water may be discharged rearwardly to propel the hydroscooter forwardly;

(g) the starboard and port sides of both the front and rear pontoons converging downwardly relative to one another to thus facilitate elevating of the hydroscooter into a position to plane on the pontoons, with the front and rear floatation tanks clearing the water, when the hydroscooter is under suflicient power, whereby the pontoons will feather through the water.

2. The hydroscooter as set forth in claim 1:

(h) and in which the water jet exhaust port is located on the longitudinal median plane of the hydroscooter and adjacent to the bottom of the rear pontoon so as to afford steady propelling power as the hydroscooter tends to rock toward the starboard or port.

3. The hydroscooter as set forth in claim 2:

-(i)- and in which the starboard and port sides of the rear pontoon converge rearwardly relative to one another and encompass the water jet exhaust port.

4. In a hydroscooter: 1

(a) front and rear floatation tanks arranged one ahead of the other, and being positioned to float on a body of water when the hydroscooter is not under power;

(b) front and rear pontoons secured to and being disposed under the front and rear floatation tanks, respectively, and being positioned to plane on the body of water when the hydroscooter is under sufficient power and the floatation tanks are elevated above the body of water;

() a main body structure fixed to the rear floatation tank to extend forwardly therefrom and being confined above the body of water, whereby this body structure will not cause resistance to movement of the pontoons through the water; I I

(d) asteering column fixed to. the front floatation tank, and being journalled in the main body structure so that the front pontoon may be turned in eitherdirection to steer the hydroscooter;

(e) a water jet propulsion system mounted in the rear floatation tank and pontoon, and including an inlet port communicating with the body of water and through which water may be drawn inwardly when the propulsion system is operating;

(f) the water jet propulsion system further including an exhaust port through which the indrawn Water may be discharged rearwardly to propel the hydroscooter forwardly;

(g) the starboard and port sides of both the front and rear pontoons converging downwardly relative to one another to thus facilitate elevating of the hydroscooter into a position to plane on the pontoons, with the front and rear floatation tanks clearing the water, when the hydroscooter is under sufficient power, whereby the pontoons will feather through the water;

(h) the water jet exhaust port being locatedon the longitudinal median plane of the hydroscooter and adjacent to the bottom of the rear pontoon so as to afford steady propelling power as the hydroscooter tends to rock toward the starboard or port;

(i) and the starboard and port sides of the rear pontoon converging rearwardly relative to one another and encompassing the water jet exhaust port.

'5. In a hydroscooter:

(a) a rear floatation tank positioned to float on a body of water when the hydroscooter is not under power;

(b) a rear pontoon secured to and being disposed under the rear floatation tank, and positioned to plane on the body of water when the hydroscooter is under suflicient power and the rear floatation tank is elevated above the body of water;

(c) a water jet propulsion system mounted in the rear floatation tank and pontoon, and including an inlet port communicating with the body of water and through which water may be drawn inwardly when the propulsion system is operating;

' (d) the water jet propulsion system further including an exhaust port through which the indrawn water may be discharged rearwardly to propel the hydroscooter forwardly;

(e) the starboard and port sides of the rear pontoon converging downwardly relative to one another to thus facilitate elevating of the rear floatation tank into a position wherein the rear pontoon will plane on the body of water, when the hydroscooter is under sufiicient power, whereby the pontoon will feather through the water. I

(f) the water jet exhaust port being located on the longitudinal median plane of the hydroscooter and adjacent to the bottom of the rear pontoon so as to afliord steady propelling power as the hydroscooter tends to rock toward the starboard or port;

(g) the starboard and port sides of the rear pontoon converging rearwardly relative to one another and encompassing the water jet exhaust port.

6. In a hydroscooter:

(a) front and rear floatation tanks arranged one ahead of the other, and being positioned to float on a body of water when the hydroscooter is not under power;

(b) front and rear pontoons secured to and being disposed under the front and rear floatation tanks, respectively, and being positioned to plane on the body of water when the hydroscooter is under sufficient power and the floatation tanks are elevated above the body of water;

(c) means interconnecting the front and rear floatation tanks, with the front pontoon being turnable in either lateral direction so as to steer the hydroscooter and said interconnecting means being confined above the body of water, whereby this means will not cause resistance to movement of the pontoons through the water; I

(d) means disposed in the rear pontoon and rear References Cited by the Examiner floatation tank operable to propel the hydroscooter; UNITED STATES PATENTS (e) the starboard and port sides of both the front and 2 286 350 6/1942 Drake rear pontoons converging downwardly relative to 2817101 12/1957 Chafiee 115 70 one another to thus facilitate elevating of the hydro- 5 2:901:757 9/1959 kemingtgn' 115 70 scooter into a position to plane on the pontoons, 3,158,129 11/1964 Mauer 115 70 with the front and rear floatation tanks clearing the 3 174 454 .3 9 5 K fi k 115 16 water, when the hydroscooter is under suflicient power, whereby the pontoons will feather through FOREIGN PATENTS waten 10 310,317 1/1919 Germany (f) the transverse widths of the pontoons being less 927,304 5/1963 Gmat Bntamthan that of the floatation tanks, with the latter pro 1138513 1/1957 France jecting laterally beyond the former, whereby there References Cited by the Applicant will be less resistance to forward movement of the 15 UNITED STATES PATENTS hydroscooter when the hydroscooter has been raised 4 to a position to plane on the pontoons as compared g g with the resistance to forward movement of the u hydroscooter when the floatation tanks are floating 20 MILTON BUCHLER, P im E i in the body of Water T. M. B-LIX, Assistant Examiner. 

6. IN A HYDROSCOOTER: (A) FRONT AND REAR FLOATATION TANKS ARRANGED ONE AHEAD OF THE OTHER, AND BEING POSITIONED TO FLOAT ON A BODY OF WATER WHEN THE HYDROSCOOTER IS NOT UNDER POWER; (B) FRONT AND REAR PONTOONS SECURED TO AND BEING DISPOSED UNDER THE FRONT AND REAR FLOATATION TANKS, RESPECTIVELY, AND BEING POSITIONED TO PLANE ON THE BODY OF WATER WHEN THE HYDROSCOOTER IS UNDER SUFFICIENT POWER AND THE FLOATATION TANKS ARE ELEVATED ABOVE THE BODY OF WATER; (C) MEANS INTERCONNECTING THE FRONT AND REAR FLOATATION TANKS, WITH THE FRONT PONTOON BEING TURNABLE IN EITHER LATERAL DIRECTION SO AS TO STEER THE HYDROSCOOTER AND SAID INTERCONNECTING MEANS BEING CONFINED ABOVE THE BODY OF WATER, WHEREBY THIS MEANS WILL NOT CAUSE RESISTANCE TO MOVEMENT OF THE PONTOONS THROUGH THE WATER; (D) MEANS DISPOSED IN THE REAR PONTOON AND REAR FLOATING TANK OPERABLE TO PROPEL THE HYDROSCOOTER; (E) THE STARBOARD AND PORT SIDES OF BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR PONTOONS CONVERGING DOWNWARDLY RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER TO THUS FACILITATE ELEVATING OF THE HYDROSCOOTER INTO A POSITION TO PLANE ON THE PONTOONS, WITH THE FRONT AND REAR FLOATATION TANKS CLEARING THE WATER, WHEN THE HYDROSCOOTER IS UNDER SUFFICIENT POWER, WHEREBY THE PONTOONS WILL FEATHER THROUGH THE WATER (F) THE TRANSVERSE WIDTHS OF THE PONTOONS BEING LESS THAN THAT OF THE FLOATION TANKS, WITH THE LATTER PROJECTING LATERALLY BEYOND THE FORMER, WHEREBY THERE WILL BE LESS RESISTANCE TO FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE HYDROSCOOTER WHEN THE HYDROSCOOTER HAS BEEN RAISED TO A POSITION TO PLANE ON THE PONTOONS AS COMPARED WITH THE RESISTANCE TO FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE HYDROSCOOTER WHEN THE FLOATATION TANKS ARE FLOATING IN THE BODY OF WATER. 